Connecticut General Statutes 54-218 – Profits derived as result of crime of violence. Recovery of money judgment by victim. Payment to Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund
(a) Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other legal entity contracting with any person or the representative or assignee of any person accused of a crime of violence in this state, with respect to the reenactment of such crime, by way of a movie, book, magazine article, radio or television presentation, live entertainment of any kind, or from the expression of such person’s thoughts, feelings, opinions or emotions regarding such crime, shall pay over to the Office of Victim Services any moneys which would otherwise, by terms of such contract, be owing to the persons so accused or the accused’s representatives. The Office of Victim Services shall deposit such moneys in an interest-bearing escrow account for the benefit of and payable to such accused person for the expenses of his or her defense and any victim of a crime of violence committed by such person, provided such person is finally convicted of a crime of violence for which compensation may be paid and, provided further such victim brings a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction within five years of the date of the crime and recovers a money judgment against such person or his or her representatives. Any covenant, promise, agreement or understanding entered into or in connection with or collateral to a contract or agreement relative to the payment of any person accused or convicted of a crime of violence which attempts to circumvent the provisions of this section is prohibited.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 54-218
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
(b) If no victim brings a civil action within five years of the date of the crime and recovers a money judgment, the moneys in any such escrow account shall be paid to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund established under section 54-215. If there is an affirmative finding that the person accused of the crime is not guilty within such five-year period, the money in any such escrow account shall be returned to such person.